Learn how to use your iPhone or iPad with a USB-C port as a power bank to charge other devices or charge an iPhone using an Android phone.
iPhone 15, 16, and all recent iPad models have a USB-C port instead of the old Lightning port, which allows them to share power with smaller devices such as your Apple Watch, AirPods, and even other smartphones.
Sharing your iPhone or iPad’s battery power involves no setup and just works if you have an appropriate cable or dongle to connect to the other device. However, there are important nuances to it, and we’ll share them all with you below.
Charging speeds
Your iPhone can charge other devices at up to 4.5 watts.
4.5W output is very slow for charging other phones, but it’s meaningful for topping up your AirPods, Apple Watch, and other smaller devices in a pinch.
It should also go without saying that your iPhone or iPad’s battery will deplete faster when you use it to charge other devices.
Charge AirPods and Apple Watch with your iPhone
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation, AirPods 4, and updated AirPods Max have a USB-C port, while all other AirPods charging cases have a Lightning port.
So, grab an appropriate cable with a USB-C connector at both ends to charge your USB-C AirPods, or use a USB-C cable with a Lightning connector to charge all other AirPods.
Similarly, you can plug the USB-C end of your Apple Watch Magnetic charger into the USB-C port of your iPhone to charge it. And if your watch charger has a regular type A connector, use Apple’s USB-C to USB Adapter or an appropriate USB-C dongle.
Charge your old iPhone with iPhone 15 or later
I used a USB-C to Lightning cable to connect my iPhone 11 (with 69% battery) to my iPhone 15 Pro Max (with 27% battery), and my iPhone 11 started charging.
Charge an iPhone with another iPhone
When you connect two iPhone 15s or 16s, both will communicate with one another, and the phone with the most battery will charge the other.
Charge your Android phone with an iPhone
When it comes to charging an Android phone with an iPhone, the premise is simple. You just connect both devices with a suitable cable and then:
- The Android phone will start charging. I’ve verified this with an Android phone launched in 2017, and it works.
- If the Android phone is relatively new and has USB Power Delivery, the Android phone and your iPhone 15 or newer should communicate with one another, and the device with the lowest battery will get charged from the device with more battery remaining. More on this later.
Other devices I was able to charge with my iPhone
In addition to charging an iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and two Android phones, I was also able to charge my Apple TV Siri Remote, non-Apple Bluetooth neckband earphones, and a decade-old Samsung feature phone.
In short, my iPhone just acts as a regular power bank, albeit it provides slow 4.5W charging.
Charging Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad with iPhone
I can also charge my Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse with my iPhone. However, when I do this, the accessories automatically disconnect from my Mac.
Charge iPhone with an Android phone
If your USB-C Android phone supports Power Delivery, Power Share, or a similar feature, simply connect it to your iPhone with a compatible cable, and your iOS device will start charging.
If the iPhone is not charging or if the Android phone is charging via your iPhone 15 or later, then here’s how to reverse the power share connection and make your Android phone act like a power bank:
- Make sure your iPhone and Android phone are connected via an appropriate cable.
- Tap the Android system alert from the phone’s notification center. It will say, “Charging this device via USB. Tap for more options” or something similar.
- Scroll down to the bottom and turn on “Charge connected device.” Your Android phone will now start charging your iPhone.
Charge your iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, Android phone, or other devices with your iPad
Like the iPhone 15 and 16, if your iPad has a USB-C port, it can charge other devices. Simply connect both with an appropriate cable.
I was able to charge my iPhones, AirPods Pro, and an Android phone with my iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation).
Other charging tips: